With big jackpots commanding international attention, it’s not surprising then that big jackpot winners are often propelled onto the global stage due to the media frenzy that ensues after the win is announced.

But have you thought about the millions in unclaimed lottery wins that are still out there? Every week, in the United Kingdom alone, it is believed that approximately £2 million in lottery winnings never get claimed. Globally, according to a recent report, there is an estimated £1.4 billion in winnings that has not been claimed since 1994.

How does this happen?

We can think of a few reasons why winning tickets can slip through unnoticed:

Scratch card lotteries: These lotteries are not always the most straightforward games to play and understand. Sometimes players don’t realise that they’ve won.

Lottery outlets: Players rely on the store manager, where they bought the ticket from, to check their tickets for a win. If the manager or clerk is not operating the terminal correctly, a winning lottery ticket can go undetected.

Tech challenges: The terminal where the ticket was issued may be faulty.